December 20, 2021

Rep. Gallego Announces $200K Grant for Veterans Court in the City of Glendale

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) proudly announced that the city of Glendale will receive a $197,235 grant from the Department of Justice to implement a Veterans Treatment Court (VTC). Existing within the Glendale City Court, this VTC will support veterans involved in the justice system with evidence-based practices that will connect them to the individualized assistance they need.

“I am incredibly excited to see a new Veterans Treatment Court in the city of Glendale,” said Rep. Gallego, a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “It's an unfortunate fact that veterans are too often caught up in the justice system due to trauma, substance abuse, and other issues that stem from their service. These men and women have served our country and deserve to have a court that respects their unique issues and can help offer a better path forward. I’m eager to see this VTC implemented quickly, and I’m going to keep fighting to make sure no veteran is left behind.”

“The City of Glendale is incredibly excited about being awarded federal grant money to help us establish a Veterans Court that supports our veteran population involved in the justice system. Establishing this Court has been a priority of mine for over 9 years,” said Glendale Mayor Jerry P. Weiers. “I would like to thank Congressman Ruben Gallego for advocating on behalf of the City of Glendale. As a veteran himself, he understands veterans’ needs. His assistance in helping Glendale secure these funds will ensure that our veterans receive the judicial resources that they are due.”

In 2020, Congress passed the Veterans Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019 directing the Attorney General to establish and carry out the Veterans Treatment Court Grant Program within the Bureau of Justice Assistance. In April 2021, Rep. Gallego wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland supporting the City of Glendale in their application for a federal grant from the new program.

Veteran Treatment Courts provide an alternative to the traditional justice system for veterans involved in legal troubles due to service-related mental health conditions, including PTSD and substance abuse. Veteran treatment courts have made significant progress in rehabilitating veterans who have committed nonviolent crimes by addressing underlying health and behavioral issues and providing veterans the care that they need, reducing recidivism, and improving outcomes.

A multi-year investment, the Glendale City VTC program is estimated to serve approximately 20 veterans in Maricopa County in its first year, expanding to 40 veterans in the second year, and potentially up to 120 over its total four years of implementation.

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